Assessment of Awareness and Utilization of Cocoa Production Technologies among Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined farmers’ awareness and utilization of cocoa production technologies in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio economic characteristics of the respondents, ascertained the levels of awareness and utilization of cocoa production technologies and identified the sources of information on cocoa production technologies by farmers. Multi stage random sampling was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) cocoa farmers. Data was collected using a comprehensive questionnaire and analysis was done using means, frequencies percentages, Chi square and Pearson Product Moment correlation (PPMC). The results revealed that 62.4% of the respondents were within age bracket (<30-50) years, male 83.3%, married 76.6%, mean house hold size 7.5 and mean farm size 4.1ha. There was relatively high awareness (60.8%) of cocoa production technologies among respondents. Also, there was high utilization of site selection/land preparation, control of pest insect and pathogens, regular weeding and timely harvesting /processing (x= 1.0), use of improved cocoa varieties, shade management and regular pruning (x=0.9). However, there was low utilization of gapping up of missing/death stands and planting period and spacing(x=0.7), cocoa rehabilitation (x=0.5) and appropriate fertilizer application with a means of 0.6. About 60% of the respondents accessed information from cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN). Chi-square analysis showed that there was significant relationship (p, < 0.005) between age (x=19.233) and utilization of cocoa production technologies. However, the significant relationship was not found between sex (x=0.754), marital status (x=3.359), religion (x=1.416), level of education (x=2.254) and utilization of cocoa production technologies. PPMC analysis (r=0.633) revealed that there was positive significant relationship between awareness and utilization of cocoa production technologies by respondents. Farmers need to be trained on various cocoa rehabilitation methods and improved cocoa varieties should be made available at affordable price to farmers.